Good morning, TexMessagers! What do you think about Sen. Ted Cruz’s outspoken support of a bill proposing to reform the chain of command in military sexual assault cases?

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As the House continues to debate a piecemeal approach to immigration reform, Republican leaders are drafting legislation that aims to make a path to legalization palatable to their colleagues on the right.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., may introduce a bill later this month that would provide undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children with a process for obtaining citizenship — the “Kids Act.” The legislation is an iteration of the DREAM Act, which has long been heralded by Democrats as a means of granting citizenship to an estimated 1.4 million eligible youth.

Cantor gave a passionate defense of the bill during a press conference yesterday.

“Where else would these kids go? Again, they’ve been brought here as a minor in many instances having no idea what was going on, knowing no other place than America as home,” Cantor said.

The bill could attract Republican support because it does not propose a pathway to citizenship for all of the 11 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the U.S.

House Judiciary chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., is a co-sponsor, but the bill is mostly Cantor’s brainchild.
Cantor is simultaneously determined to project a tough stance on border security, giving teeth to to enforcement measures and accountability along the Southwest border.

On July 10, he appeared on Sean Hannity denouncing the Obama administration’s selective enforcement of internal security measures in place that deport convicted criminals.

“Again, go back to the discussion we just had on ObamaCare, if the President can selectively enforce a provision under ObamaCare, what’s to say that he can’t selectively enforce or not enforce the provision on border security and the immigration package,” Cantor said. “We need to go and make sure that there are definite matrixes if you will of accountability. How we can ensure that the border is secure, and that the law is being enforced.”

The House Judiciary Committee has a hearing July 23 addressing the immigration status of illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.

“he is a bigger crook rthan perry but who cares texans will vote for any republican no matter how big a crook they are as perry said in the last election. In other words, Texas republicans have no integrity. All you have to do in Texas to be elected to office as a republican is bash women, gays and abortion and you will win hands down.”

Today:

★ The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has a hearing on the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the wake of administrative delay.

★ The House Committee on Oversight and Government reform has a hearing to examine the Obama administration’s social costs of carbon emissions estimates.

Tomorrow and beyond:

★ July 19 The House Committee on Veteran Affairs has a hearing examining treatment and rehabiliation options for victims of military sexual assault.

★ July 23 The Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs committee has a hearing to examine financial holding companies, focusing on if banks should control power plants, warehouses and oil refineries.

★ July 23 The Senate Budget committee has a hearing to examine the impact of sequestration on national security and the economy.

★ July 23 The Senate Judiciary committee has a hearing to examine the impact of sequestration on the courts.

Today in Texas History:

On this date in 1988, Texas Treasurer Ann Richards delivered a fierce keynote address, colored with memorable zingers, at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. More>>>